Community Liaison Assistant - Optimisation Agronomy

Role Overview

DanChurchAid (DCA) is seeking a Community Liaison Assistant - Optimisation Agronomy to support the implementation of optimization recommendations, field-based action research, data collection, capacity-building, and coordination in Turkana. The position is a 4-month contract.

Key Responsibilities

Implementation of Optimisation Recommendations

• Support households in adopting improved planting densities, crop combinations, and spacing models.
• Facilitate installation of vertical trellising, perimeter cropping systems, and hanging/vertical production methods.
• Assist households in adopting water-saving technologies (mulching, clay pot irrigation, bottle drip, basin furrows).
• Promote crop diversification using heat-tolerant and high-value varieties suitable for shade-nets.
• Guide groups in implementing crop rotation schedules, organic soil improvement, and low-cost infrastructure upgrades.

Field-Based Action Research & Learning

• Conduct routine field observations, collect data, and document results on productivity, water use, income, and crop performance.
• Trial new micro-innovations (e.g., climbing varieties, intensive bed designs, micro-irrigation prototypes).
• Monitor adoption rates and identify barriers faced by households.
• Support demonstration plots and Farmer Field School-style learning sessions.

Data Collection, Analysis & Reporting

• Collect quantitative and qualitative data weekly using digital tools or paper forms.
• Maintain an updated database of shade-net performance indicators.
• Prepare concise progress briefs, case studies, and action research summaries.
• Contribute to donor reports, learning products, and internal knowledge sharing.

Capacity-Building & Community Support

• Train households on optimised agronomic practices, including IPM, soil preparation, and succession planting.
• Work with women’s groups, youth groups, and small producer collectives to strengthen agribusiness potential.
• Support community mobilisation and follow-up visits to ensure adoption and consistency.

Coordination

• Work closely with the Project Officer – Livelihoods, enumerators, community facilitators, incentive staff, and relevant partners.
• Participate in team meetings, field planning sessions, and joint monitoring visits.
• Liaise with local agricultural officers, extension providers, or other technical stakeholders where required.

Required Qualifications & Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, Agronomy, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or related field.

Technical Skills & Experience

• Basic understanding of horticulture, crop production, or smallholder agriculture.
• Ability to learn and apply new agricultural techniques quickly.
• Familiarity with data collection tools (ODK, Kobo, Excel, etc.) is an added advantage.
• Demonstrated interest in action research, participatory learning, or community-based approaches.
• Experience in community agriculture, agribusiness, or livelihoods projects.
• Previous work or volunteering in humanitarian or development settings.
• Experience conducting surveys, monitoring activities, or practical fieldwork.

Soft Skills & Personal Attributes

• Energetic, curious, and willing to work outdoors in field settings.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Organized, self-driven, and able to manage field tasks with minimal supervision.
• Ability to engage respectfully with refugee and host community households.
• Passion for practical, hands-on learning and experimentation.
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively in diverse communities.
• Problem-solver with a positive, flexible attitude.
• Commitment to accountability, transparency, and safeguarding principles.

Child Protection, Safeguarding & PSEA

• The Community Liaison Assistant (CLA) – Optimisation Agronomy must adhere to all organisational safeguarding, Code of Conduct, and PSEA policies and will be required to report any concerns immediately.

How Success Will Be Measured

• Adoption rate of optimisation techniques among targeted households.
• Quality and accuracy of field data collected.
• Demonstrated improvements in crop productivity or water efficiency from supported households.
• Timely submission of reports and learning documentation.